Victoria Road, Farnborough
Cemetery Chapel
The Trust was formed by Hampshire County Council as part of its response to European Architectural Heritage Year in 1976. Its principal objective was to increase public awareness of the plight of those historic buildings which were suffering from either a lack of maintenance or lack of a viable use. For almost 30 years the Trust, with a high level of support from the County Council, has operated a revolving fund which has allowed it to purchase and restore a number of threatened buildings before putting them back on the market.
The Trust has retained some of the buildings it purchased and restored in that time, and is the proud owner of Whitchurch Silk Mill, Bursledon Windmill, and the Physic Garden in Petersfield. These sites are currently administered by other bodies on the Trust's behalf. The Trust also owns Bursledon Brickworks, where the core buildings of the 19th Century works are Grade 2* listed buildings.
In recent years the County Council has found it increasingly difficult to maintain its previous high level of funding, but nevertheless continues to support the educational activities of the Trust. As a result the Trust has had to restructure itself, both to reflect its new independence and to reduce costs. As part of the rationalisation it has moved its base of operations from Winchester to Bursledon. The Brickworks site was formerly administered by its own trust, but that has now been amalgamated with the Buildings Trust so that a single Board of Management is responsible for all the activities now centred on the Brickworks:
- It is the administrative base for the countywide building conservation and consultancy work of the Trust.
- As Bursledon Brickworks Conservation Centre it hosts lectures and practical courses related to building conservation, and, through Bursledon Brickworks (Trading) Ltd, provides traditional materials to the building industry.
- As Bursledon Brickworks Museum it is home to a fascinating collection of buildings and artifacts, and is developing part of the site as a working country brickworks. In 2005 the firing of the recently built wood fired 'Scotch' kiln was the first in the country for more than 50 years. The Museum is becoming a significant local attraction, and hosts open days and special events for the public. These events are arranged with the help of the Friends of Bursledon Brickworks and the Brickworks Volunteers.
- The Brickworks is also an ongoing building conservation project. Two of the 19th Century drying sheds are on the local planning authority's list of threatened historic buildings, and part of the Trust's efforts in the coming years will be directed towards the restoration and re-use of these buildings. A Conservation Plan for the site has been commissioned, and this will form a new basis for the ongoing scheme of restoration.
- The Brickworks is also the adopted home of the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Society and the South Hants Historic Steam and Engineering Society, and the historic vehicles and other equipment associated with these organisations adds character to the site and is an attraction for open days.
HBPT has received funding from Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council & other local authorities for specific projects.
